By Francisco Salazar

Staples Center,Los Angeles - Lightweight prospect and former 2016 U.S. Karlos Balderas dropped Alex Silva twice in the opening round to win by knockout.

Balderas (5-0, 4 KOs) dropped the southpaw Silva with a counter left hook to the head midway through the opening round.

Balderas ended matters at 2:25 of the round when he dropped Silva (3-8, 2 KOs) with a well-placed left hook to the body. Silva was counted writhed in pain on the canvas as referee Jerry Cantu counted him out.

Bantamweight Jose Balderas (3-0) outboxed Luis Montellano (0-2-1) over four rounds to win a one-sided four round decision. All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Balderas, who is the older brother of Carlos Balderas.

In junior featherweight action, Angel Alejandro won a four round unanimous decision over Erick Rocha (1-4). All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Alejandro, who improves to 3-0, 1 KO.

Former lightweight contender Ivan Redkach won a workmanlike eight round unanimous decision over journeyman Brian Jones. Redkach entered the fight having lost three of his previous four bouts.

Against Jones, the southpaw Redkach (21-4-1, 16 KOs) dictated the pace and mixed his attack from distance. Jones (14-9, 8 KOs) would muscle his way inside to do his best work, but it was not enough.

Scores were 79-73, 78-74, and 77-75 for Redkach, who had not fought since being knocked out by John Molina on Dec. 15.

In junior lightweight action, Jose Gomez won a close six round split decision over Ryan Allen. Gomez was the more effective puncher earlier on, but Allen (4-2-1, 2 KOs) outboxed Gomez during the middle rounds. Both fighters had their moments during the final round, but it was Gomez who was able to grind out the win. One judge scored the bout 59-55 for Allen, while the other two judges scored the bout 59-55 and 58-56 for Gomez, who improves to 11-0, 4 KOs.

Junior lightweight Jerry Perez (7-0, 5 KOs) stopped Josh Ross in the third round. Perez dropped Ross (3-8-4) with a left hook about five seconds into the opening round. Perez dropped Ross near the end of round two and dropped him a third time in round three. Ross beat the count, but the fight was stopped at 2:02.

In the opening bout, junior featherweight Antonio Santa Cruz (7-4, 3 KOs) won a four round unanimous decision over Jordan Reyes (2-7, 2 KOs). Scores were 40-36, 40-36, and 39-37 for Santa Cruz.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing